Author Bio:Stephanie is a 20-year-old junior at the University of Florida studying sociology. She developed a love and appreciation for poetry over the last few years, through both reading and writing poems. She grew up in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys traveling, photography, and social research.

“Where is the man who brought poverty?”we always ask ourselves.“Is he mad?” we ask our friends.“Doesn’t he know how tired we are?”we ask our friends again.Well, my sisters and brothers,this is my advice...No man brought poverty. It is our doing. If we don’t work hard,then we will become poor. I understand that when you work hardpeople become jealousand let the manager throw you out. But you must challenge themif you want to be successful. However, if you gain successdo not abandon your friends.Help them tooand food shall bless you.

Author Bio:Patience Ellen Sabah is 19-years-old and originally from Hohoe, Ghana. She currently attends Aggery Memorial Zion Senior High School in Cape Coast, Ghana. She is a member of the Young Adults Support Services Program at OrphanAid Africa (www.oafrica.org). Patience writes poems to comfort her heart, realize her personal abilities, and to see her thoughts manifest on a page. She believes that most important thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is “daring to dare.”

National Poetry Month was inspired by the success of Black History Month, held each February, and Women's History Month, held in March. In 1995, the Academy of American Poets convened a group of publishers, booksellers, librarians, literary organizers, poets and teachers to discuss the need and usefulness of a similar month long holiday to celebrate poetry. The first National Poetry Month was held in 1996. The celebration of Poetry each April has grown and established itself organically, in both official and unofficial ways. National Poetry Writing Month encourages writing a poem everyday in celebration. Submit yours to The Voices Project today!

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